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Dawes County reviews roadwork, equipment needs and legal staffing during June 10 meeting
Summary
County highway staff reported grading 344.85 miles since Memorial Day and ongoing flood concerns; the board approved a three-year lease for a larger weed-department tractor and discussed County Attorney staffing pressures after outside counsel was required for litigation over Road No. 50.
County operational matters dominated several agenda items at the June 10 Dawes County Commissioners meeting.
Roads: Highway Superintendent Wade Yada told the board crews graded/bladed a total of 344.85 miles for the two-week period after Memorial Day and that 147 miles were currently graded/bladed. Yada said the crusher is up and running. Commissioner Walter Juhlin reported flooding in a bar ditch on the north end of Mansfield Road and asked Yada to investigate. Clifford Stiehl raised a safety concern about Road No. 50’s damaged overhead structure; Rivera and Yada said Road No. 50 is on the county’s six-year road plan and that auto gates will be removed soon.
Equipment: Weed Superintendent Dan Wordekemper told the board a recently purchased tractor is too small and unsafe for operators. He presented a three-year lease from Modern Farm for a 2023 New Holland tractor at $17,751.69 per year with a buyout option; the board approved the lease by roll call.
Legal staffing and budgets: Deputy County Attorney Adam Edmund said the county had to engage outside legal counsel for the Road No. 50 lawsuit because in-county attorneys were unavailable; he reported Vance Haug is in court frequently and that Joe Stecher and Edmund are contracted to assist the County Attorney. Commissioner Stewart suggested scheduling departmental appointments during upcoming budget deliberations to address staffing and resource needs.
Benefits and administrative notes: Clint Anderson of AFLAC reported the county is saving approximately $4,000 through pre-tax plans and described a free AFLAC service that reviews medical billings to reduce double coding. Monthly fee and mileage reports were accepted by general consent and claims were approved by roll call.
The board recessed at 9:45 A.M., reconvened at 9:50 A.M., and adjourned at 11:40 A.M.
